Flightless

“Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! 
I would fly away and be at rest."
Psalm 55:6 (NIV)

With those words, fearing King Saul, David expressed his deep desire to flee his troubles.  To fly as does a dove would be much faster than even the swiftest of feet.  Those wishing-for-wings words follow sentences of confession. 

Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me.  My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught because of what my enemy is saying, because of the threats of the wicked; for they bring down suffering on me and assail me in their anger.  My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me.  Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me.
Psalm 55:1-5 (NIV)

What thoughts trouble you?  What keeps you up at night?  Does anxiety drain your energy?  Does the fear of death halt your faith-based courage?  David answered questions like those with soul-bearing honesty.  So should we.  Once we do, we need to take the next step. 

What step?  The step that David took.

As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
Psalm 55:16-17 (NIV)

While David remained flightless, he did not remain hopeless.  In his hour (actually hours, days, months, etc.) of trouble, David chose to call on God.

In your hour of trouble, call on God.

When you stare at the ceiling, stop the whole counting sheep thing and talk to God (quietly if your spouse is next to you).  

If you're nervous, ask God to calm your spirit.

Once we learn to do those things, we can experience the peace about which the psalmist wrote.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains--
    where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

You and I will not grow wings.  But we will feel like soaring eagles when we call on God.

#ordinarylives